Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
Analysis of the Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West
Lothian
9.5.148 The site of the proposed wind farm lies within character type 2(ii) Upland Hill Fringes
Gladsmuir/Woodmuir/Camilty Fringe. This area is defined within the objectives of the
Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development in West Lothian as suitable for
‘Landscape Accommodation’. The study defines this as ‘where some wind energy
development could be acceptable as long as overall landscape character and visual amenity
is retained. Rather than seeking to protect the landscape with this objective there may be
important landscape related constraints in terms of the siting and scale of wind energy
development, but suitably designed wind farms which generally fit with the landscape could
potentially be accommodated even though they may have an impact on the landscape
locally. The landscape is a landscape with wind energy development’.
9.5.149 Unit 2(ii) in which the site is located, is assigned an overall Medium level of sensitivity, which
is the lowest level identified within the study. Although the character type is considered to
have potential to accommodate wind farm development, the presence of the 10 km buffer
around the West Cairn Hill ‘iconic viewpoint’ indicates that the study considers significant
adverse effects on visual receptors at this location would occur if a wind farm is developed in
this area. The assessment in this chapter has identified that the proposed wind farm would
form a prominent addition to views from this summit within the Pentland Hills Regional Park.
The turbines would form a new focus in the view, whilst low level wind farm infrastructure
would be less easily discernible and the felled areas of forestry would not be uncharacteristic
in a commercially managed plantation. The blocks and strips of trees removed as part of the
proposed wind farm would provide the opportunity to create a more visually diverse mosaic of
forms and habitats to enhance the appearance of the dark, geometric blocks of conifers in
the landscape. The proposed wind farm would also be visible in the context of existing wind
farms at Black Law, Muirhall and Pates Hill, providing a continuation of established features
and patterns. The separation between schemes would be maintained, providing a series of
well defined wind farms in forestry. Although prominent and generating a significant effect on
receptors at the peak of West Cairn Hill, as previously identified within this chapter at
paragraphs 9.5.93 to 9.5.94, the receptors’ ability to enjoy the scenic quality of the Pentland
Hills would not be diminished to such an extent that the special features, qualities and
characteristics of the landscape could no longer be understood or appreciated. The
designated landscape would remain intact beside a neighbouring landscape in which wind
farms are located..
9.5.150 The study identifies principal sensitive routes, the most relevant of which within the vicinity of
the proposed wind farm include two sections of the A70 to the north and south of the site. To
the south of the site important views are considered to be northwards across Cobbinshaw
Reservoir towards the Bathgate Hills. The proposed wind farm would not interrupt this view of
the hills. The turbines would be visible to the right of the view rising out of forestry. Occupiers
of vehicles would experience Moderate effects on transient views. To the north of the site,
important views are considered to occur between Harperrig Reservoir and the eastern West
Lothian boundary, with views southwards and eastwards to the Pentland Hills. The proposed
wind farm would lie to the south west in these views and would not be visible behind the
reservoir or in front of the Pentland Hills. The view would not be directly affected, although,
the tops of turbines would be intermittently visible above intervening trees and woodland to
March 2013 9-79 ES Chapter 9
Landscape and Visual
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2013 ©